China and North Korea open new Yalu River border bridge

A new cable-stayed bridge over the Yalu River has officially opened to traffic, connecting the Chinese city of Dandong in Liaoning province with Sinuiju in North Korea's North Pyongan province. The structure features a 28.5-meter wide roadway with four lanes for bidirectional traffic and is designed to accommodate vessels of up to 3,000 tons.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang described the bridge as a symbol of the traditional friendship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). He called for both nations to use the opening to optimize customs clearance, improve connectivity, and enhance cooperation in border zones to benefit both populations.

The opening marks a significant step in revitalizing bilateral trade and commerce, which had been disrupted by the pandemic and years of strained relations. China remains North Korea's largest trading partner. Recent data shows Chinese exports to North Korea reached a six-year high of $2.3 billion last year, a 25% increase from the previous year.